Jason Orzechowski, Author at Wolf Creek Angler

About Jason Orzechowski

Outfitter, Fly Fishing Guide and Owner of Wolf Creek Angler - Chasing a dream, counting my blessings daily and writing about it in the midst of mountains, rivers and trout in amazing Montana.

Welcome to MOvember

It’s hard to believe but November is upon us and a very busy 2021 season is coming to a close.

The transition to the off season is almost complete with the majority of seasonal folks having already disappeared. Things are quiet in Wolf Creek and Craig.

That being said, November brings its own dedicated contingent to the MO with swing season underway, streamer fishing still hanging on, fall dry-fly fishing at its apex and pre-winter nymphing providing plenty of action for those seeking a different Missouri River experience, one of solitude, absent the throngs.

Things look and feel deserted right now but a closer look reveals evidence of a different, more subdued season underway. A season where you can have the river seemingly to yourself on most days but a season which lacks not just the crowds but much of the infrastructure enjoyed by the prime season angler.

Commerce has slowed to a crawl with some businesses closing for the season and others shifting to abbreviated hours for the winter months.

Izaaks is closed for the season and Annie’s is open Friday – Sunday 11 AM – 8 PM but will be closing for winter on November 21st. Bottom line… you’d be wise to bring food if you’re headed this way any time before next spring.

The Canyon Store is OPEN all year with fuel, beer,food and other essentials and Wolf Creek Angler remains open every day for the time being. We’ve closed a third of our lodging thus far and have gone to winter rates on our remaining open rooms. $99 (plus tax) for a cozy cabin or bungalow, each with a full kitchen and private bath.

It is indeed our quiet time on the MO but that being said, Wolf Creek shines this time of the season with everything you need all in one place, just minutes from Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge where the vast majority of Missouri River winter fishing occurs. Why would you go anywhere else? There’s NOBODY closer to Holter Dam and Wolf Creek Bridge than Wolf Creek Angler.

We’ve got everything you need for your day on the water from Adipose drift boat rentals to Simms waders and boots and cold weather gear to lines, leaders and tippet from Rio and Airflo to tools and accessories from Fishpond, Rising and Loon to the now near legendary largest selection of Missouri River bugs ever assembled under one roof in Wolf Creek Montana. Our flies come from Montana Fly Company, Umpqua Feather Merchants, Solitude and Yellowstone Fly Goods and are the highest quality flies available.

So while things may look deserted out there on the river right now, we’re enjoying hosting a good portion of the late-season contingent this early November at Wolf Creek Angler.

We’re near full capacity all week long with awesome fall weather on tap for at least the next 7 days. Cabins 2 and 3 are available through the weekend and next week we’re wide open so if you’re looking to make the trip give us a call.

The late season is generally a DIY affair but if you’re looking for a guide we can likely accommodate. As mentioned above, many of the seasonal folks have left the area but most of our guides at WCA are local so if you’re looking for a late season guided trip let us know.

Great weather, great end of the season deals in the shop, and most importantly, GREAT FISHING happening NOW at Wolf Creek Angler.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-11-02T09:45:47-06:00November 2nd, 2021|Categories: Shop Life|Tags: Adipose, dry fly fishing, Fishpond, fly fishing, Holter Dam, Missouri River, Montana, MOvember, RIO, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, winter, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Reflections on Autumn Woods

Last year about this same time I posted the above image on Instagram with the caption “Autumn woods are the best woods”.

Today these woods look very similar, and the sentiment still holds true but on this day there is sadness.

On this day we took our beloved Jake for his final walk on this trail in the Flathead Valley, a trail which he had come to love so much on our annual fall trips here over the years.

On this day we embarked on the trail carrying Jake’s ashes, intent on leaving a part of him here for eternity. But as we traveled that trail, with the sun lighting up the tamarack trees and the breeze gently rustling the aspen leaves, and even as we carefully opened the bag containing his ashes and each held those ashes in our hands and sprinkled them along the trail, I realized that he’s already here. He’s already here in the memories I have of the many walks we’d taken on this same trail for years.

He’s been gone since August and we’re growing accustomed to him not being there. His picture hangs prominently in the shop and I love to see him there every time I go to work. We miss him, but life’s rhythm is being restored.

Last night we arrived at our familiar destination. It’s so great to be back. But we were greeted by a dose of sadness when we arrived. I miss him more than I thought I would.

I miss him excitedly entering and exploring the cabin, I miss him laying in front of the fireplace, I miss him anxiously awaiting his dinner or breakfast (highlights of his existence to be sure) and of course I miss our early morning walks around the property. I think about the roughly 10 years we’ve been making this trip and it strikes me that we have never been here without him.

So yes, Autumn woods are the best woods, even still, and the trees and the dirt and the air hold a magic of their own, there is a soul in this place. But today it feels a little less magical, a little bit lonely.

This place captured my heart long ago and that will always be, but trees and dirt mean so much more when all is right with the world and you are with the ones you love.

I love that there is now a physical part of him here, mixing into the earth. It’s an appropriate place for his ashes to rest but that is but dust in the dirt. What I love more is the memories I have of him, of us, in this place.

The sun is shining on you and on us this day as we take one last walk with a physical part of you in our midst, but we will always walk with you in our hearts, cherishing the memories of our time together until we meet again.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-21T12:58:24-06:00October 21st, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Jake|1 Comment

The Heart of autumn

Three weeks into October and rapidly approaching the season’s end, we’re enjoying the slow and steady seasonal transition. The weather has been amazing this fall with moderate temps and very little precipitation. We’re hopeful that trend takes a turn very soon as we are in desperate need of water for next season, but for now we’ll continue to enjoy these classic fall days. The leaves remain on many of the trees with plenty of color providing an extended autumn backdrop to some great days on the water.

Most years we’ll have seen enough cold temps and wind by this point in October to strip the trees bare so we’re really enjoying the extended show.

Fishing has been good enough most days though I dare not oversell it as you’ll always have some days that are going to be a struggle for some. Overall though, the action has been consistently good and most are reporting good days nymphing and throwing streamers.

Dry fly fishing has had its moments with verified reports of actual BWO’s on several occasions but as is always the case with fall dry fly fishing on the Missouri, those days you would call epic are generally very few and far between. There will be bugs here and there, and fish rising here and there on a daily basis but this is not what you’ve heard about when people refer to epic fall dry fly fishing on the Missouri. It’s a whole different level of emergence and feeding activity, the likes of which the average novice angler if they’re lucky, may only experience a handful of times in a lifetime of fishing. Believe me, if you happen to hit it right and you are on the water for one of these days there will be no mistaking it. If you have to ask then it was likely not an epic dry fly day by Missouri River standards.

All that being said, approach every day with the hope that it might happen but with the realistic expectation that you will likely see a few bugs and a few heads and you may get a shot or two at a feeding trout…make it count!

My go-to BWO setup is a #18 Brook’s Sprout Baetis paired with a #18 Film Critic. Other good options include Olive Haze, Olive Parachute Adams, Parachute BWO, BWO Hackle Stacker, BWO Flash Cripple, Last Chance Cripple, Nyman’s BWO DOA , BWO CDC wing emerger, Wilcox’s BWO Micromay. All these and many more available at WCA.

Nymphing has been status quo with Zebra Midges, Tailwater Sows, Tungsten Tailwater Sows, Soft Hackle Sows, Scuds, Green Machines, Psycho Mays, Rainbow Czechs, Bubble Yums, Pill Poppers, Olive Lightning Bugs, Olive 2 Bits, BWO Magic Fly, Split Case BWO, Peep Show and various PT variations all proving to be effective offerings. Best setup has been short (3ish’ to first bug, no weight). I like to lead with a tungsten bead bug though I wouldn’t say that has been critical. Target the shallow fast water and leave the 5X at home. Your best bet is a 7.5’ 3X leader to 4X tippet. These fall fish are hot.

Streamer fishing is still my go to and will be from here on out. The word on the street is buggers and we’ve been selling plenty of them but don’t let anyone tell you that you have to go small. Buggers are fine and catch plenty of fish but there’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be throwing heavy lines and big bugs. Big lines and big bugs require a fair amount of work but often that work results in big payoffs.

Yes, working a heavy line in shallow water situations requires effort but in my opinion it’s better to utilize the option that can work in all situations. An intermediate line works great in the shallows and doesn’t require any extra effort but you’re not going to dredge the depths of those drop offs with an intermediate line. A 240 or 280 grain Streamer Max short can be stripped rapidly through the shallows and will also give you the option of getting that big bug down in the depths where big fish often lurk. So sure, you can rig up a couple of rods, one with an intermediate and one with a heavy sink but why would you? Often you’re working across the shallow flat and down into the depths of the drop off or bucket. You can work the shallows and the mid water column effectively with your intermediate line or you can give yourself the option of dredging the depths if you aren’t finding them in the mid water columns.

It’s all personal preference. Many “traditionalists” will fish the same floating line they’re using for nymphing or dry fly fishing. They’ll tie on a bugger and add a split shot and call it good and they’ll likely catch plenty of fish, especially letting that bugger swing in the tailouts. It’s an effective way to fish and it’s what used to be considered “streamer fishing”.

Not anymore. There’s a world of specialty lines designed for any and all situations and there are all sorts of bugs we call streamers ranging in size and weight and design. Some are designed to push water, some are designed to swim, and some are designed to dive to the depths and can be fished either by stripping or jigging. It’s a world of fly fishing unto its self. Some Love it. Some hate it. Few are indifferent. It’s a passion of ours and it’s one we’re more than happy to share with anyone who asks.

It’s all right here, right now. Dry Fly Fishing, Bobber Fishing, Streamer Fishing, Swinging….Fall is FLY FISHING on the MO and beyond.

The shop is open daily at 7 AM with lodging and guides available most days. Traffic has slowed for the most part though it still seems to come in waves. The nice weather will continue to generate some activity though many have shifted their focus to hunting so crowds won’t be an issue until spring.

Get out and enjoy this awesome autumn on the Missouri.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-19T12:44:47-06:00October 19th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report, Uncategorized|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

October Snow – photo by Tony Van Dort

Parts of SW Montana saw a significant winter weather event earlier this week while here on the Missouri we got just a small dose of what’s to come.

While snow blanketed Bozeman and the surrounding area we only saw a dusting down here with a little more at higher elevations but the cold temps and dark skies were just what we needed to get some BWO action going out there.

Winds have limited those opportunities but with water temps continuing to drop we’re in good shape for those seemingly rare days when the wind isn’t howling. Keep an eye on the forecast and plan your trip around those cool and cloudy days….or not. Cloudy conditions are ideal but you can catch plenty of fish on the sunny days as well.

Missouri River Fall streamer fishing is moving towards peak season with plenty of bruiser browns on the prowl and the Bows eager to play as well. For my money a #4 Sparkle Minnow can’t be beat but there are plenty of other bugs that will elicit the chase and the attack. We’ve had good luck with Swim Coaches, Dirty Hippies, Mini Dungeons, Lil’ Kims, Circus Peanuts and MK Ultralights and if you’re more of a traditionalist black buggers and Thin Mints have been solid.

Nymphing will be your go to for numbers with sow bugs starting to take over that top spot which has been occupied by the black zebra midge for the past several weeks. Rainbow Czechs, Amex, Tungsten Tailwater Sow, Pill Poppers, Soft Hackle Sows, LGM’s, BWO Magic Fly, Olive Lightning Bug, Olive S & M, No big changes on the nymphing front. 3 (ish) feet bobber to tungsten lead fly. Fast (ish), medium depth and maybe a deep dive in the swirls for good measure.

Sprout Baetis, Cripple Baetis, Olive Haze, BWO Film Critic, CDC Baetis Spinner and baetis emergers all good bets on top with ants and October Caddis still worth a try.

Warm weather returns this weekend with plenty of sunshine and temps near 70 on Saturday and Sunday. We’ve got a few vacancies remaining for the weekend if you want to come out and enjoy what may very well be the last warm weekend of 2021 and our guide calendar has cleared substantially making guide trips a real possibility this weekend.

We’re in the midst of our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale with 25% off ALL RODS and REELS and 30% off your total if you buy any rod and reel combo.

All remaining Simms summer sportswear as well as Confluence wading sandals and men’s and women’s Flyweight boots and all remaining G3 stockingfoot waders 30% off.

Not only is it what many consider to be the best time of the year to fish the MO, it’s also the time of year for the best deals on the best gear at Wolf Creek Angler.

Fall hours 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-13T13:07:34-06:00October 13th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: brown trout, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Autumns’ Prime. Photo by Jason Orzechowski

One of the most frequent questions we hear year after year is “when is the BEST time to fish the Missouri”?

My stock answer is that it depends what you mean by the “best” time because it all depends on what you like to do and how you prefer to fish.

For those without a preference who define “best time” by sheer numbers I would say spring is the best time to fish the MO but you’re going to be bobber or streamer fishing for the most part. If dry fly fishing is your game and “best time” is defined by bugs on the water and the opportunity to target rising fish, then June is the start of PRIME TIME for you.

All that being said, there is a magical time each year that lasts for around three weeks, give or take, and that time is NOW.

In my mind, these first three weeks of October are unrivaled, maybe not specifically as the best time to fish, but just the best time to be outdoors in general.

It’s the peak of fall colors and the weather is often as close to perfect as you can get. It’s not too hot and not too cold and there’s plenty of sunshine and an abundance of blue sky more often than not. The cool mornings are often followed by warm afternoons and an evening chill arrives just as soon as the sun drops below the trees.

Personally, this is my absolute favorite time of the year. October is the end of the busy season and the time to get away from the grind and enjoy Montana to the fullest before winter arrives. Since moving to Montana we have done an annual trip to the Flathead and an annual Halloween streamer float on the Yellowstone and I spend as much time as I possibly can outdoors throughout the entire month.

Much of that time is spent fishing but it doesn’t really matter to me what the activity is, it’s just the best time of the year to be out there. Maybe it’s cleaning up the yard, maybe it’s hiking, maybe it’s floating down the MO, or maybe it’s sitting around a campfire with baseball in the background on a chilly autumn night. It’s all the best of what fall has to offer so get out there and enjoy it while it lasts. With any luck soon you’ll be shoveling snow!

And how’s the fishing you ask? The fishing has been consistently solid though some days have been much better than others. Nymphing is getting the numbers and the streamer bite has been decent with more than a couple of giant browns already having been brought to hand. The October caddis/zebra dropper rig has been good for a fish or two most days and while the DFO’s are dreaming of and patiently waiting for those cold dark and snowy BWO days, there have been limited opportunities to hunt heads on any given day.

The point is, however you’re fishing or whether or not you’re fishing at all, there’s simply no better time to be outdoors than right now. So whether you’re fishing or hunting or hiking, or watching a high school or college football game or just sitting back and taking it all in, enjoy the blessing of autumn while it lasts.

Our updated shop hours for fall are 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-10-06T12:16:46-06:00October 6th, 2021|Categories: Local Buzz, Uncategorized|Comments Off

Late September Update

We’re seeing classic early fall fishing conditions on the MO this week with chilly mornings followed by moderate temps, blue skies and sunshine and gusty afternoon winds more days than not.

Nymphing is good with Zebras still ruling the day and streamer fishing has been decent with the better action coming during lower light conditions in the mornings and late afternoons/early evenings.

Dry fly enthusiasts and streamer freaks are biding their time, piecing together decent days here and there while they wait for more fall-like conditions. We got a couple of hours of cooler, cloudier conditions yesterday morning but have yet to see much in the way of those cold, dark and drizzly days which often usher in the best of fall fishing. On the contrary, we’ll see more of the same this week and another shot of summer arriving early next week with temps back near 80. We’re hoping this is the last of it!

We’re ready for fall with a fresh shipment of streamers on the way and FINALLY some cold weather gear which should have been here weeks ago but better late than never. Flannel shirts, hats, gloves, wool socks, jackets, waders and boots…we’re ready. All we need now is some real fall weather.

Our Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale is now officially underway with 25% OFF ALL current inventory of rods and reels.

Lodging seems to come and go. We’ve got a couple of busy weeks ahead starting this weekend but we do have at least a room or two available most nights. As always, the weather will dictate when we start shutting things down but at this point our plan is to do the first phase of winter shutdowns around the third week of October which will limit our availability to the cabins and bungalows. We’ll likely close the cabins mid to late November and will again have our bungalows available all winter long. Off season rates go into effect in November. We’ve decided to hold off-season rates for this season at $99 plus tax.

This has been one of our busier Septembers for guide trips and the last minute requests seem to just keep coming. We’re pretty well booked through the first week of October and then things start to thin out. As those trips thin out the guide staff follows suit and after what will likely go down as one of the busiest guide seasons in recent memory many of our guides have plans to flee the vicinity for a well-deserved rest. A few of us will be around for the duration so don’t hesitate to give us a shout and we’ll see if we can’t get you booked for a late fall or early winter trip on what will soon be the lonely MO.

Shop is open daily at 7 AM.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-29T12:45:04-06:00September 29th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|Tags: Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale, dry fly fishing, fly fishing, Missouri River, running line, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

Autumn is a magical time on the Missouri – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

79 degrees and sunny on this first day of fall 2021 with blue skies and a respite from the howling winds of the past few days. Perfect autumn weather and good fishing to boot.

Status quo through the weekend with plenty of sunshine and high temps in the 70’s and 80’s. Chilly in the mornings and cooling down as soon as that sun dips down in the evening. You really can’t beat fall weather and there’s no better place to be than on the water.

It’s our busiest guide week of the fall with the crew from Schultz Outfitters here doing their annual rendezvous. What a great week to spend with these guys kicking around the MO and Blackfoot. It’s always a highlight of the year having this crew around from the Michigan motherland.

The nymphing bite has continued to improve and it’s been good more days than not. Zebra Midges continue to produce better than most with Little Green Machines, BWO Magic Flies, Split Case BWO’s, Psycho Mays, Micro Mays, Tailwater Sows, Purple Weight flies and Rainbow Czechs all proving to be effective on any given day.

The traffic continues to be pretty concentrated at the dam but the river is fishing good all the way down to Cascade so don’t be afraid to spread out.

Dry fly fishing is a possibility on the less windy days. Pseudos and Callibaetis mostly but keep those hoppers in play, especially lower down river, and try an October Caddis for the Big Gulp. It’s definitely not PRIME TIME for dries but looking at the long term it could shape up to be an excellent fall and we’re hoping for at least a handful of epic BWO days in the not too distant future.

Fingers Crossed.

In the meantime, if you really want to see what fall fishing is about, get your mind off of floating flies and dead drifts and start dredging. It’s Big Game Hunting season on the MO and anywhere else giant browns are on the prowl. Big flies, heavy lines and the hope that every cast could be THE ONE that entices that behemoth brown and elicits that violent strike with an epic battle to ensue.

Get after it!

Got questions? We’ve got answers. We are your go-to source…your Streamer Headquarters on the MO and beyond.

We are your Full Service Missouri River One Stop Shop for fall fly fishing with clean and affordable lodging, the hardest working guides on the river, a fully stocked shop, shuttles, bugs, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals and so much more.

Open daily at 7 AM for EVERYTHING Missouri River Fly Fishing.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-22T14:51:44-06:00September 22nd, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, dry fly fishing, green machine, Missouri River, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler|Comments Off

September Stride

Halfway through September and about a week away from the official first day of fall and we’ve hit our September Stride.

The late summer lull is over and we’re back to bustling mornings at the shop getting trips out the door and making certain all of our guests and clients have everything they need for their day on the water.

The morning and evening chill has arrived and with cooler daytime temps settling in it’s probably about time to put away those shorts and flip flops. Not quite wader weather just yet but it’s coming soon, possibly as soon as this weekend. Hot temps and high winds on Saturday followed by cooler weather and rain on Sunday and Monday with highs in the 60’s and 50’s respectively. Classic autumn days on tap after that with blue skies and sunshine and highs in the 60’s with overnight lows in the high 30’s/low 40’s.

The colors are rapidly changing, the weather is cooling, the fishing is heating up…you really can’t beat autumn fishing on the Missouri.

Nymphing is the go to river wide with most traffic occupying the upper reaches from the dam to Craig. Zebra Midges are the ticket, #18 or #20 in black, olive or purple. Pair it with a weight fly, a Tungsten Tailwater Sow, a Peep Show, any old tungsten bead Pheasant Tail or go with the Double Deadly Double Zebra rig.

Most are running short, some with weight some without. All are keying on the fast moving, choppy water in the 1’ – 3’ range. Crayfish have dropped off but still worth a trial run. If it doesn’t produce relatively quickly, ditch it. It ain’t happening.

Hoppers are hanging on. Maybe the fish have had their fill. It might be worth a try with a Zebra or Green Machine dropper but like the crayfish trial, probably best to not spend a whole lot of time on it if you don’t see something happen in relatively short order. The better bet for your dry selection might be an October Caddis.

Streamers are En Vogue and are worth your time. Weeds will test your patience but the risk/reward ratio favors persistence. And while I’ve advised abandoning crayfish and hoppers if they don’t produce in short order the same does not hold true where streamers are concerned. Stick with it…you’ll be glad you did. Buggers, Clousers, Sparkle Minnows, Circus Peanuts, Dungeons, Dirty Hippies, Swim Coach, Peanut Envy, Autumn Splendor, Lil’ Kims, Inflated Egos and anything and everything else you might want to throw at them. Black, Olive, Brown, Natural, White all fine choices. JJ or Brownie Sparkle Minnows can be $$ on any given day.

River flows are flat-lined at 3100 and change with temps holding in the low 60’s with no big changes on the horizon.

See us at 7 AM daily for shuttles, Adipose boat rentals, the best bug selection on the Missouri, hats, gloves, socks, sun protection, waders and boots, outerwear, layering….and much more. And speaking of waders – get your Simms G3 Waders for 30% off in-store and online, while they last.

Lodging available most nights, guides as busy as they can be with September as close to completely booked as we’ve ever seen. Always worth a call but probably best to look to October if you want to get a day booked this fall.

See you soon for autumn fishing on the MO.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-16T20:14:23-06:00September 16th, 2021|Categories: Fishing Report|Tags: Craig MT, fly fishing, green machine, Holter Dam, Missouri River, nymphs, running line, Streamer Fishing, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges|Comments Off

The Wreckage Remains

It’s been 20 years.

As is the case for so many, it’s still seared in my brain. Others seem to have forgotten or at least left it behind.

Being that it’s been 20 years, many young adults today hadn’t even been born yet in 2001 or were too young at the time to have had it scorched into their psyches.

What is the legacy of September 11th?

Volumes have been written and will continue to be written which ponder this question. It’s complicated to say the least.

But clearly what the legacy is NOT is one of a unified, harmonious and tolerant country.

We are a long way from 9/12 when what we shared in common transcended partisan politics and was bigger than the distractions which have fractured a people and which continue to tear us apart.

A lot has happened in this world since 2001 and much of it has resulted in an ugly polarized world, which is sorely lacking in respect for human dignity.

We are a fractured people, torn apart by conflicting ideologies and we are seemingly often times more apt to abandon relationships in the name of like-mindedness than to simply agree to disagree like normal people used to be able to do.

We surround ourselves with those who think just like us making our existence so much less interesting than it could and should be. And we drink from the well of confirmation bias, getting our daily dose of poison from our favorite media cheerleaders who do their best to keep us all as polarized as possible while sowing dissension and hatred for those with whom we disagree.

It’s a sickness that seems to have infected so many and in the grand scheme of things, in my mind it’s a sickness that is much deadlier than something like Covid, as it seems to be fueling our national demise.

Those who would like nothing better than to see the USA as we know it cease to exist must be thrilled watching us entrench ourselves in our respective ideological camps, divided over things like vaccines and masks and climate change and social justice and infrastructure and inflation and immigration and equity and equality and taxing and spending and race theory and gender theory and whatever other issues we’ve decided are more important than actual people and relationships.

This is something that has been building up over time and I’m sure it will continue to build but it feels like we’re reaching the boiling point and I think it’s astonishing, disheartening and disgusting.

So on this September 11th, I’m making a personal commitment to back away from all of it which is difficult to do but which is made much easier by living in amazing Montana, a long way from the world.

I’m doing my best to limit my media consumption, to abstain from wasting my personal time on toxic social media and to spend much more time working to maintain the relationships I hold dear, regardless of political ideologies. I’m focusing on faith, family and relationships….the rest be damned.

What’s happening “out there” has little to do with what happens “in here”. The “in here” is my day to day. My family, my friends, my business, my passions…my world and my relationship with the author of my being. These are the things that matter to me!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I try to steer clear of political/cultural discussion which is not a result of the blissful ignorance that comes as a result of checking out from the world out there but which is instead a conscious effort to reject the temptation to define who I am by expressing my opinions on the matters at hand.

My opinions don’t matter to anyone other than me and I would much rather have a diversity of relationships than to alienate one side or the other because I happen to think one way or another about something that really has very little effect on any of our lives.

On this day I’ll proclaim that if you’re “in here” your ideological/political/cultural stripes don’t mean much of anything to me. If you’re “in here”, I am more interested in who you are and how you connect with me than I am about any of those things. And I’ll even go on to say that if you’re “in here” then we’re “in here” together and I would bet that if we wanted to we might even have a discussion with differing opinions about things happening “out there” and live to tell about it. Or at least that’s the way it should be.

So save your vitriol and disdain for what’s “out there” and don’t waste much time on it. It’s in here that matters and I for one can’t help but feel anything other than tremendously blessed to be here.

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-09T07:33:04-06:00September 11th, 2021|Categories: Uncategorized|4 Comments

Fall is in Bloom on the MO – photo by Wolf Creek Angler

The mental shift to fall is underway, even as summer returns this week with daytime temps climbing back into the 80’s and 90’s. Not to worry, there’s plenty of cool (followed by COLD and likely even frigid) weather in store for the not too distant future.

Last weekend’s unofficial end of the summer season was a great mix of warm sunny summer days on the water combined with the embrace of the signs of the upcoming season. There was plenty of traffic on the river this weekend, both angling and recreational floating with beautiful weather for both. And while it may still be tubing weather, change is underway.

Fall colors are emerging as the green leaves of summer transform into brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. Choke Cherries are thick this year and the bears have been feasting on them up and down the banks of Little Prickly Pear.

The evening chill in the air is immediate and unmistakable once the sun fades and there’s nothing quite like the feel of that fall morning sun as it climbs over the horizon, warming everything upon which it falls and chasing the chill away.

High school and college football are underway (Go Griz!) and couch-bound NFL Sundays commence this weekend. It’s time to trade in our T shirts, shorts, sun shirts and flip flops for hoodies, long pants and socks and shoes. It’s time for Oktoberfest brews and elk tenderloin on the grill.

But elk aren’t the only big game we’re pursuing. For many, fall is time to put away the fly rod and pick up the bow or rifle. For others, fall IS fishing season and colored up browns are the quarry.

It’s streamer season in Montana now through the end of autumn and we couldn’t be more excited. It’s just getting started mind you so by all means, the best is yet to come.

We’re still on the early side but if yesterday was any indication we could be in for an epic fall streamer season. There’s already a fair amount of aggression out there amongst the brown trout population with plenty of fish of all sizes willing to chase the streamer, if for no other reason than to defend their territory and chase off intruders. Hook ups were hard to come by but if you’re like me and measure streamer fishing success by the number of fish moved rather than just those hooked and landed then you would not have been disappointed with yesterday’s action.

Stop in for everything Missouri River Streamer Fishing. Streamer X rods, a streamer line for every occasion, stripping guards, the best streamer selection on the Missouri and most importantly, all the advice and practical information you could ever want from a staff well-versed in the game and more than ready and willing to talk about it. We live for this.

For those outside of the streamer set the nymphing has been solid with black Zebras and Zirdles still ruling the day. Small mayfly nymphs and sow bugs should also be a staple of your fall nymph arsenal.

Hopper fishing should continue to be solid for the next couple of weeks. Tan and peach hoppers have been working well in sizes ranging from #10 – #14. Trailing an ant is never a bad idea though we have not had a ton of action on the ants as of late. Fish the banks. Fish the mid-river riffles. Fish the non-descript random water whether you think it looks fishy or not. The trout are everywhere. They’re opportunists on the hunt for calories and they may just surprise you when you’re least expecting it so don’t take your eye off of the ball.

We are adjusting our shop hours for fall this week in accordance with the morning darkness and will now be open at 7 AM daily.

Lodging is moderately busy but we do have a fair amount of availability. The guide book is getting busier by the day but we do have some openings here and there and things do open up again around the second week of October. We’re happy to fish any way you like but we absolutely love to guide streamer trips. Book yours today!

Stop in for clean and affordable lodging, Adipose Drift Boat Rentals, vehicle shuttles, summer clearance items like Smith Sunglasses and Simms sportswear and amazing fall deals on select waders, boots and more.

Annual Fall Rod and Reel Sale coming very soon. Stay Tuned

By Jason Orzechowski|2021-09-07T14:33:20-06:00September 7th, 2021|Categories: Shop Life, Uncategorized|Tags: Adipose, brown trout, fly fishing, Missouri River, Montana, running line, simms, Smith, Streamer Fishing, Streamer X, Wolf Creek, Wolf Creek Angler, zebra midges, Zirdle|Comments Off

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